Easy Homemade Eggnog Recipe - Make the Best Eggnog with Spiced Rum! (2024)

FAQs

Is spiced rum best for eggnog? ›

What Kind of Rum Goes Best with Eggnog? “I like something with a little bit more body and flavor than say, just like a silver [or white rum],” says Chamberlain. “Those are good, but I feel like you can bring more to the party—the party being eggnog.” That's why he prefers a spiced rum or an aged rum.

Here's your golden ratio for pop-up holiday cheer: Combine 1 part of your selected spirit to 5 parts prepared eggnog. Want us to make it even easier on you? If you buy a 1-quart container of eggnog, you should use 6.5 ounces of liquor, total.

Cover and refrigerate.

The more liquor you add, the longer it will keep — non-alcoholic eggnog should be consumed within 1 day; eggnog with 1/2 to 1 cup of liquor will keep for several days; and eggnog with 1 1/2 cups of liquor will keep for several weeks and continue aging and thickening quite nicely.

Here's my game-changing (and free!) trick for turning it into a delightful holiday drink: I shake the eggnog in a co*cktail shaker with lots of ice—with or without alcohol—to dilute it a bit, make it light and frothy, and make it extra cold.

Egg-cellent Eggnog Tips

Rum – I like dark rum in eggnog (Myers's is what I usually buy), but spiced rum would also be fabulous. Whiskey – I typically use Crown Royal, but use what you like or keep on hand.

If you're looking for a traditional approach, spike store-bought eggnog using your favorite liquor like brandy, bourbon, or rum. This super-simple recipe makes six 6½-ounce servings.

While you may typically reach for a bottle of rum or whiskey for eggnog, amaro and tequila are also good options. Some people who use reposado tequila in their eggnog like to complement it with an Amontillado sherry.

Getting the Ratio Right

A solid alcohol-to-eggnog ratio is 1:5 (1 part spirit, 5 parts eggnog). This applies to both store-bought and homemade.

Aged eggnog requires planning ahead. It must be aged for at least three weeks, and most recipes stress that it improves with more time — one version suggests a year.

Can alcoholic eggnog go bad? ›

Eggnog has a shorter shelf-life than you may expect. While the commercial beverage is pasteurized (meaning you don't need to worry about drinking raw eggs), milk, cream, and eggs are all pretty perishable. Expired eggs and milk can grow bacteria and lead to food poisoning, which wouldn't be a holly, jolly Christmas.

Homemade eggnog typically lasts 2-3 days if stored in 40º F or less under the proper conditions. Store-bought eggnog lasts 5-7 days after opening if it has been refrigerated. Canned eggnog lasts 4 to 5 months and around 5-7 days after opening.

It will thicken as it cools. If you want a thinner, completely smooth consistency, you can add the entire mixture to a blender with 1 or 2 tablespoons of milk and blend until smooth. Serve with a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg, and fresh whipped cream, if desired. Store homemade eggnog in the fridge for up to one week.

Traditional eggnog today is made up of a mixture of milk, cream, sugar, eggs (both yolks and whipped egg whites), and rum, bourbon, or brandy. They can also call for warm spices (like cinnamon and nutmeg), along with vanilla extract. It's a classic Christmas drink that's creamy, sweet, and typically served chilled.

The tricky thing about making a stirred custard is its susceptibility to curdling. If you get the mixture too hot, your beautiful custard sauce will resemble runny scrambled eggs. Not very appetizing.

"When choosing a rum, I personally find a spiced rum to be the best for the flavors incorporated in eggnogs," he said. "Chairman's Reserve Spiced Rum is best for its quality and flavor profile.”

If you'd like to add rum to your mugful, opt for a golden or dark rum. These kinds of rum have more depth of flavor than white rum. You can also add spiced rum if you want to add a kick to your drink, but know that spiced rum may overwhelm the flavor of your homemade eggnog.

Avoid white rum because it's too light and transparent. Instead, choose a gold or aged rum. For a fun twist similar to rye whiskey, go with spiced rum. For the best of both classics, pour both brandy and rum, splitting them equally in the eggnog.

Some people like to add rum, some like to add bourbon, and some like to drink it straight up without alcohol. When I think of eggnog, all that comes to mind is the Captain Morgan Eggnog because it'll help relieve the stress of shopping, the family gatherings and of course it will put you in the great holiday mood.